William Edgar Peightel

August 28, 2012

Born July 27, 1927, in Huntingdon, he was the son of the late Edgar and Grace (Smith) Peightel, of Huntingdon.

Peightel attended the Huntingdon public schools, graduating in 1945. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Juniata College, in 1949. He received his Master of Science degree in biology in 1954 and his Ph. D. in biology in 1961, from the University of Virginia.

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William Edgar Peightel

Peightel began his teaching career at Smith High School, in Bedford County, from 1949 to 1952. He taught at Altoona Senior High School from 1952 to 1956. In 1956 he began a 35 year career at Shippensburg University. During this time he served as, Chairman of the Science Department, Chairman of the Biology Department, Coordinator of the Sciences, Chairman of the Franklin Science Building Committee and Co-director of the Health Sciences. He was the recipient of a Danforth Foundation Teacher Award.

Peightel was past presidents of, Shippensburg Lions Club, Shippensburg Rotary Club, Shippensburg University Chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Retired Faculty, Southcentral Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society and Shippensburg College Club. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science and of the Phi Sigma Society, national honorary in biology.

In retirement, Dr. Peightel was a member of the Shippensburg Historical Society, served on the Board of Trustees of the Shippensburg Public Library, was a tutor for the Franklin County Literacy Council and served on the Finance Committee and as an usher at Memorial Lutheran Church, where he was a member. He served as a chair of the Kresge Campaign for the Shippensburg University Foundation, raising a million dollars to be used for equipment for the Sciences at Shippensburg University. He enjoyed spending time with family and special friends. He was an avid fisherman, including several summer trips to Canada with fellow university retirees.

Peightel was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Helen (Roudabush) Peightel, who died in 2007, also a sister, Marjorie Newcombe, of Bridgewater, N.J., who died in 2011.

He is survived by: three sons, William S. and wife, Brenda, of Reedsville, James A., of Philadelphia, and Thomas W., of Lemoyne; two granddaughters, Kathleen M. and fiance, Evan Edwards, of Bellefonte and Lauren K., of Reedsville; and a brother John Peightel, of Carson City, Nev.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at the Memorial Lutheran Church, of 34 E. Orange St., Shippensburg. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, in the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, 112 W. King St., Shippensburg, and at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorials contributions may be sent to the William E. Peightel Scholarship Fund at the Shippensburg University Foundation, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, the Memorial Lutheran Church, 34 E Orange St., Shippensburg, or the Shippensburg Public Library, King St., Shippensburg.